The garden path you want is paved in Oregon slate, but the one you can afford is covered in gravel. Thank goodness there are many inexpensive options between those two ends of the garden path spectrum.

Here are some ideas for different options for a 4-by-120-foot path with bender-board sides, and for materials that will be easy on your budget and result in a distinctive path.

I'm suggesting only materials that will allow moisture to penetrate the soil, which is more eco-friendly than impermeable surfaces.

Materials: Create a weed barrier of cardboard or 10 layers of newspaper, then cover it with wood chips and make "steppingstones" from scrap wood. This weed barrier will eventually decompose, so it's not a forever path. It will last a long time, though, and is easy to refurbish.

Cost: If you've got a chipper and some tree trimmings, this option is free and is a great way to use your waste. If not, maybe you and your neighbor can go together to rent a chipper to save on cost. Or, check around for an arborist who will give you chips for free. The most expensive option is to buy chips, especially if you have them blown in.

Labor: Sprinkle the cardboard or newspaper with water and walk on it to flatten your base. Cover the path with chips, then place the scrap wood in your one-of-a-kind design. Work the wood pieces into the chips one at a time, so no one will trip.

Appearance: I helped a friend put in this path between her raised beds, and it was perfect. I've also seen it used in many Northwest gardens and a couple of nurseries. It's a lovely organic look that blends in with any style of landscape.

Kay Balmer

ON THE SHADY SIDE OF CHEAP

Materials: Fabric barrier, cardboard or 10 layers of newspaper covered with hazelnut shells and sprinkled with patio blocks. If your path is in a shady area, you can grow moss on the blocks.

Cost: The patio blocks add to the cost of the base materials, so you'll want to decide on a pattern that you're willing to bankroll. The moss is free if you take it from a place it's already growing in your landscape. But it's cheap if you have to buy the starter and grow your own following the recipe below.

Labor: Water down your weed barrier, and shovel on the shells (or use gravel, as the photo shows). Alternate concrete blocks as shown in the photo or create your own design. To start your moss: Take whatever you have and remove as much dirt as possible, put the moss in a blender, add ½ teaspoon sugar and a can of buttermilk or cheap beer, blend until the moss breaks down, then spread the soupy mixture with a clean paintbrush over the patio blocks.

Appearance: This creates an enticing path for a shady area of the garden. It almost begs for a bit of hopscotch. And what could be more Northwest than moss and hazelnut shells?

Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

MODERN ON A BUDGET

Materials: Fabric weed barrier, covered with gravel and decorated with scrap metal cut in various shapes and sizes. The metal is anchored with metal pegs welded to the bottom of each piece and then pushed through the barrier and into the soil. The metal can be painted to add interest, but make sure it's a paint that will adhere to metal.

Cost: This option weighs in at just over $830 for the full length of a path, but you could use it in a shorter section. You'll also need to allow time for sorting through the scrap metal, looking for just the right pieces, and getting everything to and from the welder. The welding isn't cheap, but the pegs will keep your path from tripping up your guests.

Labor: Gravel is heavier than wood chips, so take care not to hurt your back. Place the metal where you like. Use it as steppingstones or just decoration. Work the metal pieces into place; the pegs easily punch through the weed barrier.

Appearance: This path would be great outside a midcentury house with a landscape that leans toward Modern. Don't be confined by what I did. Let the scrap metal guide your imagination to the right composition.

DESIGN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Materials: Choose gravel, wood chips or nut shells as the backbone of your path and then mix things up. Near the gate, you might use old brick to create an entryway of sorts. In a short section along the house, use the scrap metal. Chunks of broken concrete make great steppingstones.

Cost: If you're lucky, you'll find most of the materials in your garage, basement and yard. Maybe your neighbor has a stack of materials that he's been planning to haul away. Or check the classifieds or online for people looking to clear out building material.

Labor: Put your weed barrier and base material in place, and then play. Try the old bricks here; try the pieces of wood there. Would the concrete look better if it were painted bright red? Should you use the scrap metal in a circular pattern? Let it sit for a day or two. Adjust it as the mood strikes. Then secure it all.

Appearance: The changes in materials also help define your garden rooms and fill out areas that otherwise might be a bit bland.

MATERIALS

Here are the costs of various materials for a 4-by-120-foot path. The prices listed are for the outlets named, but most materials are widely available. The base materials all don't cover equally, so their recommended depths vary. We used a depth of 6 inches for wood chips, 4 inches for gravel and 2 inches for hazelnut shells, as advised by the suppliers. Whatever materials you choose, the path will be lined with cedar bender board. Otherwise, mix and match to create the path you like, then do the math to calculate your costs.